Resumen de Antimicrobial Periodontal Treatment Decreases Serum C-Reactive Protein, Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha, But Not Adiponectin Levels in Patients with Chronic Periodontitis

Yoshihiro Iwamoto, Dr. Fusanori Nishimura, Yoshihiko Soga, Kazu Takeuchi, Mikinao Kurihara, Shogo Takashiba, Yoji Murayama

• Background: Elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and decreased plasma adiponectin are associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, recent observations suggested that adiponectin and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) suppressed each other’s production. Since periodontal disease has been suggested to act as a risk factor for atherosclerosis, we examined the effects of antimicrobial periodontal treatment on CRP, adiponectin, and TNF-α levels.

  Methods: Fifteen chronic periodontitis patients with various systemic conditions at high risk for atherosclerosis were enrolled in the study. Patients were non-surgically treated with topical application of antibiotics and mechanical debridement of calculus once a week for 1 month. Before and after therapy, CRP, adiponectin, and TNF-α levels were measured.

  Results: Both CRP and TNF-α levels were signifi- cantly decreased after treatment (P <0.01 and P <0.03, respectively), while adiponectin levels did not change significantly.

  Conclusions: Periodontal treatment is effective in reducing CRP and TNF-α, while adiponectin does not appear to be influenced by periodontal treatment. Elevated levels of CRP and TNF-α may be associated with increased risk for future development of atherosclerosis in periodontitis patients.